Sanford and Son: The Breakthrough Role
In 1971, Wilson was cast as Lamont Sanford, the pragmatic, patient — and often exasperated — son of Fred Sanford, the cranky junk dealer played by comedian Redd Foxx. Sanford and Son debuted on NBC in January 1972 and quickly became one of the network’s most popular sitcoms of the decade.
Over six seasons from 1972 to 1977, Sanford and Son offered audiences a fresh kind of comedy: sharp, irreverent, and grounded in family dynamics. The series was an adaptation of the British sitcom Steptoe and Son, but its uniquely American flavor and strong performances made it a phenomenon. During its early seasons, the show ranked near the top of the Nielsen ratings and became one of the most watched programs on television.Continue reading…